Abstract

Previous studies in the Lome Linda University laboratory showed that obese subjects on an exercise program lost approximately one pound more per week as compared to a non-exercise group. Energy expenditure calculations of the exercise did not account for the total caloric deficit required to lose the additional pound. The present study was designed to investigate changes in BMR and metabolic rate with time for normal weight and overweight subjects involved in a practical exercise program. The relationship of changes in BMR and metabolic rate in coping with the problems of obesity were also studied.

Fifteen subjects, eight overweight and seven normal weight, were selected to participate in an exercise program involving a 100 and 200 calorie walk, and a 200 calorie walk on a level treadmill at 3.5 m.p.h.. Four of these subjects continued on a daily exercising regimen for one week.

Basal metabolic tests were taken before the start of the exercise program and on each morning prior to the selected exercise. Metabolic rate tests were also taken four hours and eight hours following each exercise. At least a four day interval elapsed between each exer- cise period. After the four subjects exercised daily for a week, BMR observations were made 24 hours following the last exercise.

Resting metabolic rates were taken by the open circuit Tisson gasometer, and expired air was analyzed by the Scholander apparatus.

Results of the investigation showed a significant BMR difference between the overweight individuals. No significant difference, however, was observed in the normal weight subjects. No statistically significant difference was obtained in the BMR of the two groups prior to each exercise nor in the four and eight hour metabolic rate values for the different exercise levels. However, the four subjects that exercised daily for a week showed a significant increase in BMR after each exercise program as compared with the initial value taken before exercise A tendency for began. an elevation in the BMR taken initially and on the morning prior to the 200 calorie Treadmill walk was also observed in eleven of the fifteen subjects. Thus, an increase in heat production due to exercise and the actual energy expended attributed to the exercise might account for the increased weight loss previously observed in obese subjects that exercised as compared to the non-exercise group.

Further investigation needs to be conducted on the effects of a daily exercise program on the BMR over an extended period of time.

Department

Nutrition

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

U. D. Register

Second Advisor

Charles Thomas

Third Advisor

Paul J. McMillan

Fourth Advisor

John A. Scharffenberg

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Year Degree Awarded

1969

Date (Title Page)

8-1969

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Exertion; Basal Metabolism; Body Weight

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 64

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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